GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank wants its staff to be prepared for any emergency, says President and CEO Michael E. Tucker. That’s why they annually conduct what Tucker calls a disaster recovery test.
But the employees had no way of knowing, when they conducted such a test based on a pandemic two years ago, that they’d be putting that knowledge into practice in 2020.
For the recovery test, which Tucker said was based on a flu outbreak scenario, the bank conducted a “walkthrough” and determined what aspects of services would need to be adjusted in response. He said much of this focused on protecting employees and customers from the spread of germs with strategies, including increased cleaning measures and the potential need to quarantine office or bank locations.
Those are precisely the steps that Greenfield Cooperative Bank is now taking. To help protect the health of the public and its employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank is limiting in-person access.
“That’s going to continue for the foreseeable future,” Tucker said on Friday.
All offices are open during regular hours right now, but lobbies are locked to the public. Tucker said the bank sent an email to roughly 10,000 customers earlier this week alerting them to the changes.
Most of the bank’s locations have now closed lobbies to prevent walk-ins. All drive-up ATMs are open. Customers can still apply for loans online, or make transfers online and through the bank’s mobile app. Tucker said appointments for face-to-face interactions can be arranged if necessary.
“In Greenfield, we also have a separate walk-up teller who is behind glass, so they are somewhat protected,” Tucker said.
The bank is also offering a “payment holiday” for existing customers who have a portfolio loan at this time. According to a press release, Greenfield Cooperative Bank customers can defer their monthly payments coming up in April and May for up to 60 days by completing a simple form.
Payments usually due for April and May would be added to the back end of the loan term. The term would be extended by two months to allow those payments to be made at the end of the original term.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.